PhD Studentship: Technology Development for Laser Processing of Challenging Materials

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Engineering
Location:  UK Other
Closing Date:  Sunday 10 March 2024
Reference:  ENG1731

This project is an exciting opportunity to undertake industrially linked research in partnership with the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). It is based within the world-leading Advanced Materials Research Group at the University of Nottingham.   This is 3-year fully funded studentship is only open to UK home students. The successful applicant will receive a generous tax-free annual stipend of £26,658 plus payment of their full-time home tuition fees. Due to funding restrictions this PhD position is only available to UK nationals. As this position is sponsored by the MTC, any successful candidate would need to pass the sponsors own security checks prior to the commencement of the PhD.

Vision

We are looking for a PhD student with keen interest on Manufacturing to join our Advanced Materials Research Group, at the University of Nottingham. 

Motivation

Cutting and drilling is one of the most successful high-power laser-based manufacturing application used across the high-value manufacturing industry from aerospace to power generation. However, the current state-of-the-art high-power laser processing works well only for conventional metals and alloys and are doesn’t produce desirable outcome for next generation of materials like ceramic, composites, coated alloys, etc. This PhD proposal is about researching and developing solutions to enable the use of high-power lasers as an industrial tool for cutting and drilling of advanced materials. Both the MTC and UoN have a strong track record in the fields of advanced laser-based manufacturing technologies focusing on novel and challenging materials.

Aim

In this PhD project, we will build upon our current understanding and focus on developing co-axial gas and water mist assisted high-power laser cutting and drilling process. This PhD will involve. design of a novel nozzle assembly for water-mist assisted high-power laser processing using flow analysis, fabrication of the nozzle assembly, and experimentation using the novel nozzle assembly to understand and demonstrate its performance. Successful development of the proposed solution will have a huge impact on the future of high-power laser material processing. You will work with both staff with the University academic departments and also have the opportunity to work with the engineering teams within the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). This will give you real-world experience in working within in an industrial company, as well as experiencing the workplace and culture within it.

Who we are looking for

The successful applicant will have studied Mechanical, Materials or Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Physics or a closely related discipline. A good knowledge or demonstrated awareness of fundamental aspects of product design, computation fluid dynamics and laser-material processing is desirable. Experience in using a range of technologies/techniques for material characterisation would be an advantage. Candidates should have a BEng or BSc with a master’s degree or a MEng undergraduate degree. The ideal candidate will have a first-class undergraduate degree and/or a distinction at master’s level with first class project work.

The MTC is an independent Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) aimed at de-risking and accelerating the adoption of disruptive technologies within the UK manufacturing sphere. Supported by the UK government, the MTC works closely with industrial partners and other research organisations to deliver world leading innovation across all levels of the UK’s industrial landscape, from SMEs and start-ups to OEMs and large-scale global manufacturers. For more information please visit the MTC website . 

The Faculty of Engineering provides a thriving working environment for all PGRs creating a strong sense of community across research disciplines. Community and research culture is important to our Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and the FoE support this by working closely with our Postgraduate Research Society (PGES) and our PGR Research Group Reps to enhance the research environment for PGRs. PGRs benefit from training through the Researcher Academy’s Training Programme, those based within the Faculty of Engineering have access to bespoke courses developed for Engineering PGRs. including sessions on paper writing, networking and career development after the PhD. The Faculty has outstanding facilities and works in partnership with leading industrial partners. 

Contact

Informal inquiries, with a detailed CV and academic transcripts, should be sent to Dr Katy Voisey  ([email protected] ), Dr. Sundar Marimuthu ([email protected] ) and Priyanka Ghosh ([email protected] )

Proposed PhD Start Date: 1st October 2024